Mail Tribune News - Claims of bilking keep rolling in

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2000-09-14

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Claims of bilking keep rolling in Ashland travel agent suspected of 6-figure fraud ASHLAND -- Police are continuing to get calls from travelers who say they have been defrauded by Ashland's Europa-Let Tropical Inlet travel agency. This week a Freeland, Wash., man called to say he was bilked out of $1,265. A Mineola, N.Y., woman reported losing $2,395, and a Minnetonka, Minn., woman reported the loss of $1,949. "The case is continuing to mushroom," said Capt. Mike DeCapua. "We're talking to clients in Europe." Last week, police cited and released Katherine D. Driskell, 38, of 420 S. Fourth St., Jacksonville, the owner of Europa-Let, on one count of first-degree aggravated theft. Her business was closed the next day. Numerous travelers have reported to police that they were double-billed for lodging on their credit cards, or charged for lodging they never received and in some cases didn't even ask for. "Based on the evidence so far, the amount of credit card fraud and other fraud exceeds six figures," DeCapua said. Police have declined to cite a specific dollar figure for the losses. DeCapua said several employees of the agency and police officers worked together in the police station this week trying to contact about 35 people who had travel plans through Europa-Let. The company specialized in booking travelers in homes, villas and even castles in Europe. "We believe we contacted everyone that was going on trips, but people on trips now are having problems," he said. There had been more than 35 people booked on trips, he said. Driskell's attorney, Angie LaNier, could not be reached for comment. A date has not yet been set for Driskell's arraignment -- or a grand jury hearing -- because police haven't yet forwarded their reports to the district attorney's office. DeCapua said he did not know when the reports would be in. Police are continuing to investigate and the calls keep coming in. Mail Tribune Copyright �  The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA